Allegri: Loss to Roma a wake-up call for Juve

Juventus have a lot on their minds in their search for a treble, and were denied lifting a historic sixth Scudetto at the grounds of their bitter rivals Roma on Sunday night. Needing just a point to secure the title, Juve took the lead but were then reeled back in by the hosts to lose 3-1.

After the game, Massimiliano Allegri was almost pleased, saying his side needed the wake-up call as they were sinking into complacency.

“It was a good first half, with both teams very aggressive and determined. In the second half we conceded a strange goal on the counter from our own free kick.”

With just two games left in the season, Juventus will need two points form their remaining games, or for Roma to drop some points.

“I think we let our guard drop and thought we’d done enough to take the result home. The fact we drew with Atalanta and Torino, then lost here, it shows we’ve lost something in terms of concentration.

“At least it’ll be a wake-up call ahead of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final with Lazio. We had a good first half, we just needed to stay organised and not allow those chances.

“We were up against Roma, the second strongest side in Serie A, and anything can happen in the head-to-head clashes. We took that into account and knew the Scudetto would be decided in the other games, not against each other.

“I won’t say this was entirely unexpected, but not expected either. We had the game in hand during the first half and need to make sure we’re fully plugged in for the remaining weeks of the season.

“We have to take it one step at a time, because we’ve won nothing yet. We’ve got the Coppa Italia Final and then Crotone, while the Champions League is a month away.

“I thought after the equaliser we could still go on and win it, but we weren’t sharp enough. I realised from the first passes of the second half that we were falling asleep. We gifted them the ball!

“There are times in a season when the ball hits the post and goes in or hits the post and goes out. We knew a point here would enable us to win the Scudetto. We have to look at the positive, which is this’ll make us keep absolutely focused for Wednesday.”